Spain is a warm country with a pleasant climate and a rich cultural history. It attracts many foreign visitors as an ideal tourist or study destination. In fact, Spain is the third most popular country that has been ranked for offering the best education to international students. With modest costs on living, travel, tuition, and other things necessary for maintaining a student lifestyle, Spain is worth choosing as the right study-abroad destination.
The most spoken language in Spain is Spanish. Apart from this language, people also speak Catalan, Galician, and Basque. While English-speakers are not too common in Spain, many university programs are offered in English. With a good proficiency in English and working Spanish tongue, international students can pursue their degree in Spain comfortably.
Religion matters a lot in Spain and Roman Catholic Christianity is the religion of the majority in the country. Religion is not talked about a lot in public spaces or among strangers as the Spanish people take their religious pride very seriously.
The culinary history of the country is as rich as its cultural history. You will be eating a lot of tortillas, tapas, pinchos, and paellas during your time in Spain. And the dishes will all be heavenly good!
Spanish people display their interests in performative arts like music and dance openly. The most famous Spanish dance – Flamenco is regarded as a Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Spain is a progressive country that offers quality education to its residents and non-residents. The Spanish education system involves compulsory education for children between the ages of six and sixteen. Students who have completed their schooling can directly join the workforce, pursue a higher degree from a university or get vocational training from colleges.
The degrees awarded in universities in Spain are highly regarded. As an aspiring international student, you might have questions regarding Spanish university degrees, and other things like –
If you would like to know more about these and other questions related to pursuing education in Spain as an international student, Udrus is the right place for you.
The study costs for the universities international students enroll in differ from the cities they choose or the type of university they choose (public or private). Thus, it has been found that the average amount that a student spends in Spain for tuition amounts to 1000 euros per semester.
Spain welcomes international students for variegated program courses every year and one of the main reasons why students are attracted to this country is the affordable tuition fees compared to other European countries.
Tuition Fees In Spain:
The tuition fees in the universities of Spain are as follows:
Scholarships For Studying In Spain
If you are likely to save yourself the tuition fees being an international aspirant, then you can make use of the several scholarship options that are available for funding your education in Spain. Some of the most popular scholarships for your Spain study are envisaged:
Spanish Studies Abroad Financial Aid
You are eligible for a scholarship worth $500 – $1,500. This scholarship is granted to those who can verify a commitment to their studies in Spanish throughout the course duration. This is offered either on the basis of merit or diversity basis.
Fulbright Scholarship
The Fulbright Scholarship is granted to students who are citizens or nationals of the USA, meet the language requisites, qualified for previous studies from the USA, and are the ones who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States.
CIEE Scholarships and Grants
The CIEE Scholarships and Grants are for the ones who face immense financial obligations to study abroad. It offers almost $750-$2,000 summed with $2,500 toward semester program costs, or $1,000 toward summer program costs. For being eligible for this, one must have proof of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Estimated Family Contribution.
Global Experiences Generation Study Abroad Scholarship
The Global Experiences Generation Study Abroad Scholarship is worth $500 – $3,000 offered to students who are underrepresented in study abroad programs.
Belonging to an international country, you must be concerned about the living costs. Days in this new country will be easier if you have prior knowledge of the expenses you need to be mindful of. The living costs counts in everything from food, shopping, tuition, housing, and others.
Spain is not an expensive country to live in and the reason behind this is, according to the OECD data, the income per capita in Spain is 10.000 USD that is lower than the average OECD level that is around 20.000 euros.
The housing expense in Spain for international students shall be around 600 euros either for a one-bedroom apartment or studio apartment, followed by essential utilities like electricity, gas, water, phone, internet that would amount to 130 euros.
Furthermore, other amenities considered under living cost in the entertainment that stands to be 450 euros and healthcare is around 222 euros. If you are a foodie and love to taste vivid cuisines, then you can consider an average amount of 380 euros a month that makes somewhat 40 euros in a day at the most.
Also being an international student you can make use of your benefits upon traveling in public transportation that will cost you 1.50 euros in Madrid and Valencia’s cities followed by 2.40 in Barcelona (legit discounts).
Internet: Internet is the first and foremost requirement of the generation and thus, you will have to spend just 10 euros every month for 24/7 internet availability.
Food: Depending on your diet plan, you can afford the meals costing you from 6 to 20 euros a day in restaurants or other eateries on average. The average individual will spend an average of 125 Euros per month on food while in Spain.
Transportation: You can leverage discounts on transportation if you use the public transportation system which is extremely affordable for the students. You would be required to spend not more than 2 euros per trip on buses and rental cars.
Being a student in any of the universities or colleges of Spain, you must have an accommodation system that suits your budget and convenience. Before arriving in the country, you must arrange housing facilities so that you need not face any troubles post-arrival. There are a large number of residential options that you can count on and consider depending on your choice.
Types Of Housing Facilities In Spain For International Students
1. One of them is the host families’ facilitation that you might consider for a comfortable experience throughout your stay in the country while studying.
2. Dorm housing lies second in the list that offers dormitories and student housing on campus costing you the least amount. It will be near to your college or university and will save you both time and money.
3. Studio Apartment: Many of the students prefer studio apartments that offer living space, bedroom, kitchen, laundry facilities, TV, telephone, and much more extended from 30 days to 12 months with a system of monthly or weekly payment.
4. You can share a room with a roommate so that the living costs get split among you. If you do not mind being social and tuning in with people, then this is the best option for you.
5. You can choose apartments or flats rented for the duration you are going to stay in Spain for your studies. They are rented by private owners in all the cities. As it takes time to choose the perfect residence, book everything in advance depending upon the budget, facilities, and other specializations like dishes, toiletries, and other essential items you would like to consider before relocating.
The cost of accommodation in Spain will definitely depend large on the city you choose to stay in. Whether it is in the city center, or in smaller cities like Barcelona, the costs will depend on whether it is fully furnished, the amenities it offers, from telephone, utilities, food, to internet, laundry and so on. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Barcelona is around 850 Euros while in Madrid the one-bedroom rate averages a cost of 1000 Euros per month. The three cheapest places to live in Spain are Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela, and Granada.
Choosing one of the top universities is indeed a big deal when you have amazing options to choose from. The course programs, faculty, campus life, and everything about the universities in Spain are worth remembering and considering. Here is the list of top universities that you can choose from while studying in Spain.
1. University of Valencia (La Universitat de València)
The University of Valencia (La Universitat de València) was established in the year 1499 with three huge campuses spread across the country. All the course programs are either taught in Spanish or English.
The official website is here
2. Pablo de Olavide University (Universidad Pablo de Olavide)
The Pablo de Olavide University (Universidad Pablo de Olavide) is situated in the city of Seville that has a huge campus to admire. Established in the year 1997, this university equips the students with state-of-the-art facilities like WiFi, on-campus dorms, sporting fields, and a library. It occupies 10000 students at a time with options of choosing among several course programs.
Visit the University’s website from here
3. The University of Granada (Universidad de Granada)
The University of Granada (Universidad de Granada) welcomes a large number of international students every year and is thus, considered to be one of the best and most renowned universities with a lot of disciplines in store for the students spread across five campuses.
Click here to go to the University’s website
4. The University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca)
At the University of Salamanca (Universidad de Salamanca) you will love to immerse in the Spanish culture as it is the oldest recognized university in the country that gives rise to splendid careers of international students.
Click here to go to the University’s website.
5. University of Deusto (Universidad Deusto)
The University of Deusto (Universidad Deusto) is the oldest private university and can be considered as the founder of Spain’s first business school that teaches both native and international students every year.
Here is the website: University of Deusto
6. Complutense University of Madrid (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)
The Complutense University of Madrid (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) has been recognized as one of the most prestigious universities for international students pursuing higher degrees. It has had veteran alumni passing out every year, winning accolades in several course programs.
Click here to go to the University’s website
7. University of Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona)
University of Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona) was ranked number 1 among all other universities in the year 2019 for its academic excellence that is elevated by the faculty of proficient professors. This induces students worldwide to dream of this university!
Click here to go to the University’s website
8. Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona)
Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) caters to international students in a number of languages namely, English, Catalan, and Spanish in several courses that they take up. Most prominently this institution is popular for its extravagant infrastructure and education quality.
Visit the University’s website from here.
9. Pompeu Fabra University
The Pompeu Fabra University was founded in the year 1990 and is located in Barcelona, Spain. It is majorly famous for its social sciences and humanities department spread across three different campuses in the country.
Visit the official website of the Pompeu Fabra University
10. Autonomous University of Madrid
The Autonomous University of Madrid is situated in the capital city of Spain and was incepted in the year 1968. Spread across an area of 650 acres, this university is the storehouse of amazing programs namely, Faculties of Philosophy, Law, Economics, Business, and Science for international students.
Here is the website: Autonomous University of Madrid
To obtain a student visa for higher studies in Spain expects you to first enroll yourself in a Spanish university for any of your preferred disciplines.
The major requirements for a student visa comprise,
Types Of Student Visas
The types of student visas that are applied to international students are as follows,
1. Student Permit for less than 3 months (90 days)
Those coming from countries where visa-free entry is not possible must apply for a Schengen Student Visa. Applications for study in Spain must be submitted to a Spanish embassy or consulate in the student’s home country.
2. Short-term Student Visa visa for between 3 and 6 months
The Short-Term Student Visa allows students to take a course that lasts a maximum of 180 days. Although these visas do not have an extension probability under any circumstances.
3. Long-term Student Visa for more than 6 months
Long-Term Student Visas allow students to take courses that are longer than 6 months.
For this visa, applicants must produce their medical certificate and no criminal conviction. Along with the visa, the students must also apply for a student residence card at the immigration office.
Documents required for a student visa in Spain
Spain Post Work Visa
The students who are not from EU countries would be required to obtain a work visa to work in Spain. The first and foremost criteria to acquire the visa post-study is to land a job as it becomes easier with the help of your employer.
Visa For Family Members
Along with a student visa application, you can apply for a spouse, domestic partner, child, or children (under the age of eighteen or with a disability). This implies they can lawfully accompany you to Spain and reside with you during your studies.
Work In Spain
If you wish to study and work simultaneously in Spain, you have got numerous opportunities to work 20 hours a week until the expiry of your student visas. Hundreds and thousands of people who migrate to Spain for higher studies opt to work in the country by applying for a work visa (only for the ones who do not belong to EU countries).
If you are all ready to get set to go for your abroad study program in Spain, then you must prepare a list of things that you would have to consider before moving to the new country. The major things that must be counted in your checklist have been stated below:
Documents Required By International Students:
Financial Proof
On your decision of studying in Spain, you must make sure that you have sufficient proof of financial resources to support your living in Spain throughout the course duration. Check with the embassy or consulate as the average amount amounts to an average of 864.97 Euro a month (all the money needs to be converted into euro currency).
Pack The Following Items: Final Checklist
Before leaving the country, check if you have everything packed already. This checklist might help you!
Insurance
Every year thousands of overseas aspirants move to Spain for higher studies. Thus, it is mandatory that they have their health and travel insurance before arriving in the country as it acts as a shield in cases of emergency treatments, prescription check-ups, sudden accidents/surgeries, or normal checkups. Although Spanish citizens have free health care, international students who study in Spain have to purchase some form of health insurance that covers them with the best quality healthcare system in Spain depending on the plans chosen while applying for the visa in their home country.
Spain is a renowned destination for vacation freaks, history lovers, and students who are willing to pursue their higher studies abroad. This country has over 76 recognized universities among which you can select what suits your career preference the best in terms of faculty, fees structure, infrastructure, environment, campus, and many other factors that concern you. Some of the major reasons why international students aim to choose Spain as their destination for higher studies are envisaged-
World-Class Education
Spain offers splurging opportunities for aspirants aiming to design their careers in different programs. It is the third most popular country that has been ranked for offering the best education to international students.
English Taught Courses
One of the biggest concerns of students coming from overseas is the language barrier. Spain does not impose any such language bar on international students as the majority of the programs are either in Spanish or in English. Also, you will obtain bilingual courses that would help you if you have not acquired expertise in the Spanish language.
Affordability At Its Best
With modest costs on living, travel, tuition, and other things necessary for maintaining a student lifestyle, Spain is affordable. Compared to other European countries, you will get some of the cheapest cities to live in Spain offering student accommodation, transportation in public vehicles, and much more.
Entertainment
You will be filled with abundant entertainment opportunities while you are in Spain and the best part is that all of them are affordable. You can choose from museums, bars and pubs, zoos, markets, shopping centers, art galleries and amazing nightlife with your friends. Also, go out on weekend trips, sightseeing, and food tours at the least expenses incurred.
Language Is Spoken In Spain
There are many languages that students speak in Spain namely, Spanish (also known as Castellano), other regional languages, such as Catalan, Galician and Basque. It is not mandatory for international students to know their native languages if they have proficient English speaking skills as most of the universities in Spain namely, St. Louis University, Schiller International University, Boston University’s study abroad programs in Madrid, or Suffolk University’s course options that impart English-taught courses.
While choosing which place to reside in, it is advisable that you choose Madrid and Barcelona that have the highest English speakers.
Student Life In Spain
Being a new international student pursuing a degree in Spain, you can connect with more and more people, join curricular activities like singing, dancing, music, or sports where you get a chance to socialize and contribute to self well-being. Go out for amazingly planned sightseeing ventures, learn the Spanish language either from the natives, or take up a course where you can specialize in the native lingo. Furthermore, you can join communities of international students to build global networks, understand community living, enhance teamwork and group meets. Enjoy the mesmerizing nature that is covered with sunshine, which is one of the spectacular reasons for students to choose this country. The Mediterranean coastline in Spain gets an average of 300 days of sunshine every year and that is for real!